Wings on Wednesday

A bit of a mixture today. The first is from yet another visit from a Sparrowhawk. Once again it was unsuccessful and landed on top of the fruit cage. I kept the camera on it vainly hoping for a flight shot. It is normally too fast for my reactions but this time I just happened to press the camera release button at the moment it was starting to take off. Pure luck as I was expecting a still shot of it sat on the woodwork.



A while ago another of the fancy chickens had found its way into the churchyard. Not often I see such a  brilliant pure white bird. After a search through Google images I think it may be a White Cochin Frizzle Bantam.



Lastly during the unseasonally high temperatures last Sunday (maximum here was just over 18C) it was a trigger for insects of all sorts to take to the air in the glorious Sunshine.. This lacewing had settled on the outside of the conservatory door:



Unfortunately temperatures didn't stay anywhere near as nice and at the time of writing this, midday Tuesday, it is dull, cloudy, just below 8C and feeling distinctly chilly.

Friday at the Flicks - Churchyard Chickens, Nestbox Preening

When I saw the chickens in the churchyard a few days ago they were not in the least bothered by our presence and carried on scratching in the deep layer of fallen leaves.



The investigations and inspections of the nestbox continue with the occasional visit from a Blue Tit which hasn't ventured inside as yet and a Great Tit which visits most days. This time it spent several minutes having a good preen in the privicy of the box.



Nothing has used the box as an overnight roost yet but a minimum of around 14C night temperatures has been very mild for the time of year recently.

Have a great weekend observing the wildlife around you. If you are celebrating Guy Fawkes night then please spare a thought for all domestic and wildlife as many pets are terrified of loud noises and various animals may be using a bonfire as a shelter. Some good advice can be found on the RSPB site HERE.

Walkabout

When we go for our afternoon perambulation Bobby and I usually cut through the back of the churchyard. More often than not there are some chickens from the nearby smallholdings diving for cover. The other day there were two which had made themselves a comfortable hollow under one of the small trees. They were not going to move unless they really had to.



One day I tied Bobby outside the church while I went in to see if it was possible to photograph the stained glass windows. For these I took three photos at +1 0 -1 EV and process them as HDR. This window facing East was difficult as there was a green tint to the light which was reflected from trees nearby.



This small one is in the porch and again is so close to vegetation that it receives very little direct light.



It is not very often these days that farm machinery is left out in the open as quite a few tractors have been stolen in the county.



There is very little Autumn colour at the moment as the plants are changing colour at different times but I did spot this on the way home.



On damp nights it is as well to take a torch when I let Bobby out for his last look round as I never know what may end up underfoot.



 I wonder how many different types of slug there are.